Galatasaray will look to increase their unbeaten run as they journey to AFAS Stadion on Thursday to face AZ Alkmaar of their fifth Europa League match, aiming to keep up their spectacular begin to the competitors.
The Turkish giants sit in third place with 10 factors from 4 matches, having scored a mixed 14 targets of their opening fixtures.
Their thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham on matchday 4 capped a dramatic run that included victories over PAOK (3-1) and Elfsborg (4-3), together with a 2-2 draw in opposition to Rigas Futbola Skola.
Okan Buruk’s facet has been almost unstoppable in current weeks, successful their final seven matches throughout all competitions, together with a 1-0 overcome Bodrum within the Turkish Süper Lig that retains them 5 factors clear on the prime.
However, regardless of their robust kind, Galatasaray’s European away document this season has been shaky.
They suffered a 3-2 loss to Young Boys in Champions League qualifiers and have solely managed a draw of their single away match within the Europa League up to now, a 2-2 draw with RFS.
They’ll have to shake off these setbacks and discover success on the street in opposition to an AZ Alkmaar facet keen to construct on a 3-1 victory over Fenerbahçe of their final Europa League outing.
AZ Alkmaar, who’re sixteenth with six factors, have been inconsistent in current weeks however are hoping to proceed their fantastic house kind.
After a rocky stretch with losses to Athletic Club and Tottenham, Maarten Martens’s facet rebounded with the win over Fenerbahçe, they usually’ll be focusing on a 3rd consecutive Europa League victory at house for the primary time since 2012.
Their current home kind has been equally up-and-down, with a 2-1 defeat to Willem II adopted by a 2-1 win over Sparta Rotterdam.
They’ll look to increase their unbeaten run in opposition to Turkish groups in Europe, with 4 wins and three attracts from seven encounters.
Injury issues proceed to have an effect on either side.
AZ will miss the companies of Ibrahim Sadiq, who’s sidelined with a muscle harm, whereas goalkeeper Sem Westerveld and defender Kristijan Belic are additionally out.
For Galatasaray, Mauro Icardi stays unavailable after rupturing his ACL, whereas Ismail Jakobs is out with an Achilles harm.
However, the star energy of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who netted a brace within the win over Spurs, will probably be key for the Lions as they appear to choose up three essential factors.
Source: www.dailysabah.com